Refuse disposal apparatus



March 2, 1954 H. HIGER REFUSE DISPOSAL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 8, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

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Arrow/m4 March 2, 1954 H. HIGER 2,670,774

REFUSE DISPOSAL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 52 5 5 52 55 S2 s5 2/ 9 20 B 8 "F-D W'TE S VZ Q a A 9a 4/ flea s0 7 a1 23 dz #23 W K l4 as ,4 rTaR/YEK March 2, 1954 H. HlGER 2,670,774

REFUSE DISPOSAL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I //m M 6 ATTORAIE).

Patented Mar. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFUSE DISPOSAL APPARATUS Harry Higer, Detroit, Mich. Application September 8, 1951, Serial No. 245,680

4 Claims. (Cl. 146-108) This invention relates to a garbage disposing apparatus, which is used in conjunction with the water drainage from a building to a sewer. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel disposal apparatus, whichis particularly adapted for the disposing of certain articles which heretofore could not be properly handled by present disposal apparatus of this type.

It is the object of this invention to provide a disposal apparatus, which is particularly adapted for the cutting up and disposing of feathers from fowl such as, chicken feathers, as well as other refuse which heretofore has not been conveniently disposed of in presently available disposal apparatus.

It is the further object of the invention to provide a novel and simple disposal apparatus which may be used in conjunction with a sink and wherein the material, such as feathers, may be fed thereinto, compressed and moved into the path of rotating cutting blades for chopping the same into short easily disposable elements.

These and other objects will be seen from the following specification and claims in conjunction with the appended drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the disposal apparatus with the cover removed, being a section taken on line ll of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus with one sidewall removed for illustration and with the end walls and cover portions in section, together with a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical connections employed.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the disposal apparatus; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on line 6-5 of Fig. 4.

It will be understood that the above drawings illustrate merely a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the claims, hereafter set out.

Referring to the drawing, the present disposal apparatus includes the end walls II and I2 and the side walls l3 and I4 as in Fig. 1 together with the top wall [5, which thus provides a complete enclosure for the apparatus.

As shown in Fig. 3 top wall I5 is partially cut away to define the inner ledges I6 which border a central opening formed in member l5,-and upon which is supported openable cover I! with its handle l8. An additional cover element 19 with its handle 23 is also supported upon the ledges I6 and is hinged as at 21 to cover l1. By this construction either of the covers ll or l9 may be separately opened to ermit access to the interior of the disposal mechanism, or on the other hand, the covers l1 and 19 may be entirely removed.

housing. It .will be noted from; Fig. 4 that the;

2 Asshown in Figures 3 and 4 there are provided at least a pair of horizontal angle irons 22 and upright angle irons 23 together with a platform element 24 to thereby provide a support for the motor 51 and the other mechanisms associated therewith.

Upright supports 25 and 28 extend upwardly from portions of theplatform 24 and supportably engage the main roller housing through which the material to be disposed of is directed. Said roller enclosing housing includes the downwardly inclined bottom wall portion 21 which terminates at its upper end at the upwardly curved front wall portion 28. Said housing also includes the parallel spaced sidewallelements 29 and 30 to thereby complete the roller housing.

Referring to Fig. 6 the sidewalls 29 and an of said housing have a plurality of upright longitudinally spaced slots 3| which are adapted to receive the vertically adjustable bushings 32. Said bushings have formed in their opposite sidewalls the upright slots 33 which cooperatively receive the corresponding wall portions of the walls 29 and 30 which bound the upright slots 3|.

The three roller supporting'shafts 34, 35 and 35 are journaled through bushings 32 as shown in Fig. 6 and are driven'in the manner hereafter described.

The forward roller 31, preferably of a sprocket shape and constructed of rubber or an equivalent material, is supportably secured upon the shaft 34. The second material engaging roller 33, preferably formed with a series of elongated sprocket elements is secured upon shaft 35. The third preferably rubber roller 39 is secured upon shaft 36, by any suitable means as for example, a key 40 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

By this construction the three rollers 3'1, 38 and 39are journaled within the enclosing housing 29--3U-2'I28 and are adapted to vertical adjustments within the upright slots 3| by virtue of the connections of bushings 32 therewith.

Upright scraper blades 4| are arranged forwardly of each of the rollers and extend across the interior of the roller housing, and have upright end wall portions 42 which are secured to the bushings 32 as shown in Fig. 6. i

As shown in Fig. 4 the scraper blades 4! include the rearwardly directed transverse blades 43 which are upturned slightly as at 44 into close proximity to said rollers to prevent the material from being carried along by the rollers and, at the same time, providing guide passages 46 for the material below the transverse plates 43 relative to the interior surface of the bottom'wall 21.

lateral extensions 45 which extend across the upright ends of the sidewalls 29 and 30 to thereby provide a partial closure at that end of the roller As shown in Fig. 6 the end scraper blade 4| has.

3 horizontal portion 43 of the last scraper blade 4! is spaced above the bottom wall 2! to thereby define the throated outlet 41 for the material as it is moved along the bottom wall 2! of the roller housing by said rollers.

As shown in Fig; 4 the material which is moved by the rollers through the throated opening 61 is projected into the path of rotating cutting blades 60', hereafter described, so that the material, such as chicken feathers, will be out up into small particles and will be washed downwardly through the outlet passage 48, which is arranged forwardly of the throated opening 47 and to which is connected the sewer drain pipe 49.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the roller housing sidewalls 29 and 39 terminate at their upper ends in the horizontal out-turned elongated flanges 50. These flanges have formedtherein transverse slots which register with the upper ends of the sidewall slots 3| to permit the insertion or removal of the rubber rollers 31', 38 and 39 and their associated bushings and scrapers.

As shown in Fig. l, whereinthe cover has been removed, these transverse slots in flanges 50 are covered by the rectangular plates i which are secured to said flanges by a plurality of screws 52. The threaded bolts 53 are threaded down through plates 5! and are in axial alignment with the sockets 55 secured upon the bushings 82 which are adapted to receive the lower ends of the coiled springs 56. Extension rods 54 form a part of the bolts 53 and retainingly extend down into the upper ends of the springs 56.

By this construction it is apparent that each of the rollers is urged downwardly by the springs 56 within the respective guide slots 31 and further that the rollers are so mounted as to be adapted for vertical movements depending upon the action of the rollers upon the material being moved downwardly through the roller housing by said rollers.

It will be also noted from Figures 2- and 5 that there are a plurality of rectangular openings 53 formalin the cover .member H and through which the heads of the-bolts 53- extend. Thus, the cover I! may be opened without'interfering with the mounting of the bolts. Furthermore it is apparent that the bolts 53 may be adjusted to regulate the tension in the-springs 58.

Referring to'Figures" '1 and '3 the electric motor 51 is suitably mounted and secured upon the platform 2' 1. Its elongated shaft 53 isjourn'aled' through the bearings 59 which are supported upon platform 24 and secured thereto-as at 59'.

The wheel 69 is arranged in an upright plane within the chamber 48 and its hub 62 is suit ably secured upon the end of motor shaft 58". Said wheel includes a plurality of curved cutting blades 69' with sharpened leading edges "6i which are arranged closely adjacent-the throat-ed material outlet opening '41. Saidblades; securedat their ends at 62" to the-wheel B9 and its hub 52', are adapted to cut oil the material as it is moved out of the opening 41' whence said mate'- rial is washed down the outlet passage 48" and i'n'todrain pipe '49;

Motor shaftbflhas an extension 63 which pro jeetsfrom the-opposite sideor motor'il'and has a suitable" gear secured thereon, such as the'gear 63'. This gear is in mesh with'a' larger gear st secured on shaft 55- which is jour-naled' through the bearing support QBSBCUIQL'I onplatform 24 at poin'ts :61. And the shafttihas a drive pulley 68' thereon. Roller -.operating -=sliaft 34 has a pulley' 'wheel thereon which islinterconnected 4 with pulley 68 by the belt 10. Shaft 34 has a second pulley H which is connected with pulley 72 on roller shaft 35 by the belt 73.

The second pulley 14 on roller shaft 35 is connected by a belt 78 to pulley '15 on roller shaft 36.- Thus, the motor 51- is capable of driving all three of the rollers 31, 38 and 39 by the pulley and belt arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

As it is contemplated that shaft 34 will have some vertical adjustments in view of its mounting, the pulley I9 is sufficiently flexible as to permit such vertical adjustments of shaft 36. In the event that there is too much slack in belt 70, it is contemplated that there may be any suitable means employed in connection with said belt for taking up the slack. I

Referring to Fig. 4 the forward" portion of the chambered member 29-39 has a substantially upright inlet passageway 1? through which refuse, such as feathers of other materials, may be introduced. Under the action of the rollers and the water, this material is delivered into the compartment '28 occupied by the rollers and moves under said rollers in the manner illustrated in the drawings. A rectangular gate 19 is shown in Fig. 4 hinged along its upper edge at 89 to the under-surface of the cover ll, being positioned within the chambered member or housing 2'l28-29-- 3 9; The gate 79 is inclined as shown in Fig. 4 and rests against the edges of the roller 3'! and tends to guide the material towards the lower portion of said roller and thereunder, and prevents the material from entering the upper portion of chamber 18.

The water supply pipe 81 has a solenoid operated control valve 82 thereon, and said pipe extends as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 throughout the length of the exterior housing adjacent sidewall 14' upon the exterior of the chambered member 2939. A plurality of transverse parallel spaced pipe extensions 83 are joined at their one ends to the main supply pipe 8-! and extend through the sidewall 36 of the roller housing and substantially across said housing to a point adjacent the opposite wall 29. And said pipes 83 which are perforated throughout their lower portions at 8d, are closed at their outer ends as shown in Fig. 2 at 83'.

Referring to Fig; 3 there is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical connection for operating the motor 5?, as well asthe solenoid 92 which controls valve 82 and which is energized for turning on the water at the same time'as the motor begins to operate. The lead wire 81 is connected to one power line 85 and at its'other line or ground wire 35 to thereby complete the electrical circuit.

to on position will not energize the motor 51- Thus,-pushingthe switch 88 unless the switch 94 is closed by the cover H being in place. With switch 9st closed, it is clear that solenoid 92' will be simultaneously energized to permit the flow of water under pressure through the supply pipe '34 to thereby flush the compartments T? and "i8 and All -throughout the operation of the motor and the rollers, 35, .38 and 39 connected'ithereto:

Naturally; the wheel in with its cutting blades 60' will be simultaneously operated.

While in the preferred embodiment of the invention there has been shown in the drawing a rotatable wheel 60 with curved blades 60' adapted for movement closely adjacent and across outlet opening 47, nevertheless it is contemplated that any other type of movable cutting blade could be employed as for instance, a motor driven ver-w tically reciprocal blade.

Having described my invention reference should now be had to the claims which follow for determining the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. In a refuse disposal apparatus, a chambered member having a downwardly inclined bottom wall, an upright inlet passageway at one end of said member, a downwardly depending outlet passageway beyond the lower end of said bottom wall adapted for communication with a sewer drain, a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers journalled within said chambered member transversely of its length spaced above and cooperable with said bottom wall for moving said refuse down said bottom wall towards said outlet passage, rotatable cutting blades journalled within said outlet passage closely adjacent the end of said bottom wall and movable in a plane parallel to the axes of said rollers for cutting said refuse into short strips which drop through said outlet passage, horizontal rectangularly shaped scrapers below forward portions of each roller arranged forwardly of each roller throughout its length and adjacent thereto and spaced from said bottom wall for guiding said refuse to said outlet passage, and an upright supporting plate on each of said scrapers arranged forwardly of said rollers throughout their length and adjustably secured to the side walls of said chambered member.

2. In a refuse disposal apparatus, a chambered member having a downwardly inclined bottom wall, an upright inlet passageway at one end of said member, a downwardly depending outlet passageway beyond the lower end of said bottom wall adapted for communication with a sewer drain, a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers journaled within said chambered member transversely of its length spaced above and cooperable with said bottom wall for moving said refuse down said bottom wall towards said outlet passage, rotatable cutting blades journaled within said outlet passage closely adjacent the end of said bottom wall and movable in a plane parallel to the axes of said rollers for cutting said refuse into short strips which drop through said outlet passage, a plurality of parallel spaced laterally perforated water pipes extending across and adjacent upper portions of said chambered member at spaced points throughout its length and across the upper portion of said outlet passage for supplying water to said inlet passage, to said rollers and to said outlet passage, and a fluid delivery pipe supported upon the exterior of one of the,

side walls of said chambered member and connected respectively with said perforated pipes.

3. In a refuse disposal apparatus, a chambered member having a downwardly inclined bottom wall, an upright inlet passageway at one end of said member, a downwardly depending outlet passageway beyond the lower end of said bottom wall adapted for communication with a sewer drain, a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers journaled within said chambered member transversely of its length spaced above and cooperable with said bottom wall for moving said refuse down said bottom wall towards said outlet passage, rotatable cutting blades journaled within said outlet passage closely adjacent the end of said bottom wall and movable in a plane parallel to the axes of said rollers for cutting said refuse into short strips which drop through said outlet passage, a water supply pipe on the exterior of said chambered member, a plurality of laterally perforated water pipes joined to said supply pipe and extending across and adjacent upper portions of said chambered member for supplying water to said inlet passage, to said rollers and to said outlet passage, a valve in said supply pipe, a solenoid for opening said valve, an electric motor for driving said rollers and said blades, a push button switch, and an electrical circuit from a power source to said motor, switch and solenoid.

4. In a refuse disposal apparatus, a chambered member having a downwardly inclined bottom wall, an upright inlet passageway at one end of said member, a downwardly depending outlet passageway beyond the lower end of said bottom wall adapted for communication with a sewer drain, a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers journaled within said chambered member transversely of its length spaced above and cooperable with said bottom wall for moving said refuse down said bottom wall towards said outlet passage, rotatable cutting blades journaled within said outlet passage closely adjacent the end of said bottom wall and movable in a plane parallel to the axes of said rollers for cutting said refuse into short strips which drop through said outlet passage, a water supply pipe on the exterior of said chambered member, a plurality of laterally perforated water pipes joined to said supply pipe and extending across and adjacent upper portions of said chambered member for supplying water to said inlet passage, to said rollers and to said outlet passage, a valve in said supply pipe, a solenoid for opening said valve, an electric motor for driving said rollers and said blades, a push button switch, and an electrical circuit from a power source to said motor, switch and solenoid, a cover hinged upon said chambered member, and a normally open switch in said electrical circuit and mounted upon said chambered member and closable upon closing of said cover.

HARRY HIGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 83,315 Ralph et a1 Oct. 20, 1868 234,183 Heebner Nov. 9, 1880 345,484 Collins July 13, 1886 346,200 Hamacek July 27, 1886 404,130 Toepfer May 28, 1889 480,508 Pettet Aug. 9, 1892 594,074 Frenzel Nov. 23, 1897 813,300 Hyatt Feb. 20, 1906 840,416 Aptekman Jan. 1, 1907 1,155,353 Haldeman Oct. 5, 1915 2,105,759 Stevenson Jan. 18, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 513,498 Germany Nov. 28, 1930 

